too long!

I'm so sorry I haven't done this sooner! This post is just pics!! But I do want to say that Zeb and I are loving being parents! We keep trying to sell people on the idea of parenthood. It's great!! We say "if you don't have a baby, you should get one!" Harper is the best. He's doing so good. He's been smiling, cooing, and laughing. So cute!!


He's a week old in this pic and wearing my favorite sleeper.
(He outgrew it a long time ago)


3 weeks old





The next 3 he's a month old

6 weeks old

well i have some more on my camera which i hope to upload this week. we got some great shots of him smiling this past monday (labor day). take care!! -erica

p.s. most people say he looks "just like his momma" at first glance. but actually he's the spitting image of zeb's baby pictures. the only difference is the red tint in his hair. i told zeb we need to start carrying around one of his baby pics to prove it!

the middle name

I've been trying to think of how to spell Macahan phonetically so people would know how to pronounce it; but i haven't come up with anything. Sorry! We finally decided on his middle name two days before he was born. Maybe he was just waiting on us to get his name together!

When Zeb was born he was partly named after the main cowboy on a 1979 tv series called "How the West Was Won". The cowboy was a good, strong man who valued family and morals. His full name was Zeb Macahan. I have to admit I'm kind of proud of it because it was my idea. Zeb picked Harper which i liked it and agreed to; so i was excited that we decided on a middle name that I suggested. It's funny though because it's a name we really like and Zeb joked that we "wasted" it on a middle name. I said if we have another boy we could just name him that too! But we're not thinking about number two yet!

The past couple of weeks have been really fun and a blur. Thankfully, Harper is not an inconsolable baby- but that doesn't mean we get tons of sleep! Every night is different. Some nights he'll sleep for 3 or 4 hour stretch. Some times he's up every 2 hours. We did co-sleep with him a couple of nights which gave us a little bit more rest. Now we have him in a bassinet in our room. Which still gives us not only more rest but better rest. I felt myself actually relax the first night we used the bassinet. Unfortunately, the past couple of nights he's been fussier than normal. After much thought, we decided to let him try a pacifier last night. For some reason, we both have a negative feelings about using a pacifier. To my surprise (and relief), Harper didn't take to it as quickly as I expected. I think tonight we're going to try some good ole gas relief medicine- we like that better than the pacifier.

I'm so amazed at seeing his progress physically. We can already see his growth. He's been wearing preemie clothes, but I can tell he's starting to outgrow a couple of outfits. I'm not sure about his weight; i know he's past his birthweight. I do know that he has grown an inch in length. As for me, I've already lost 25 pounds. That is good news! Well for me anyway.

On Sunday afternoon, he was wide awake so I laid him down for some tummy time to help build his neck muscles. And he rolled over! Zeb didn't believe me. So last night he was awake again and we laid him down on his stomach. He rolled onto his back again! And Zeb saw this time. And he did it two seconds before I turned on the video camera! I don't know if those count as official roll overs- but it's something! I call him the iron baby. He pushes himself off of Zeb's hands on the floor, he can hold his head up, and we've found him turned perpendicular in the bassinet when we wake up. He also already does a good job of focusing on people when they talk to him. That is thanks to daddy.

I have the cutest picture to post and the upload thing isn't working!
I'll try again later.

so who does everyone think Harper looks like? I should post baby pics of me and zeb for a comparison.

our newest installment

Harper Macahan Marcotte was born Thursday July 19 at 2:33 in the morning. Everything went great. I went into labor Wednesday night around 6. Zeb and I decided to wait until contractions were 3 minutes apart for 30 minutes before we called Bonnie, the midwife. At 10:30, we called her and she told us to head to the hospital. After laboring for those 4 hours we thought for sure I would be dilated to 3 or 4 centimeters. The nurse checked me and I was already at 7! We couldn't believe it! So they wheeled me into a room. Bonnie had to break my water and then things picked up even more. After an hour and a half of pushing, Harper was born. He weighed 6lbs and 8oz and was 19.5 inches long.
I must say it was the hardest thing I've ever done in my entire life! But thinking back, I wouldn't change any of it. Harper's birth was everything Zeb and I hoped it would be. I'm still in shock because just the day before the doctor was telling us to get induced. And I honestly thought we would end up scheduling an induction for this week. In between contractions, I kept expressing how amazed I was to Bonnie.
Now he's a week old. We're still trying to get the hang of things and get a schedule going. Feedings are going great. We met with a lactationist on Wednesday. He weighed in at 6lbs 10oz. Which is great! The day we left the hospital he weighed 6lbs 4oz (baby's lose weight at first). The fact that he's gained back more than his birthweight is a great sign!
Unfortunately we go back to the doctore tomorrow for the circumcision. Zeb and I are nervous. But we know it's for the best and he'll be fine.
I'm so glad I am finally able to post on here. I'm sure most of you have seen pics. For those who haven't here's a link of the ones my dad has taken: http://share.dell.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AcOXDdo1Yt2jO

hopefully I'll be able to post sooner next time!

not ready yet

well, Harper's just not ready. so Zeb and I are still waiting patiently. We did have the dreaded meeting with the doctor this morning. And he suggested inducing by the end of the week. He also talked about how the risk for a stillbirth increases. That's very scary to hear. I felt like someone was telling me I was putting my child's life in danger. Unfortunately, the same risks are present in simple things as riding in a car. They also hooked me up for NST (non-stress test). It tests the baby's heart rate, my contractions, and I have to push a button every time he moves. The mid-wife looked at the report and said he was doing good. I think that was the most encouraging part of our visit.

I completely understand where the doctor is coming from. I understand why he talks about all of the risks. However, I find there to be more risk in inducing than in waiting. Zeb and I came home and spent some time talking. We broke out the calendar and pregnancy wheel (courtesy of Aunt Candy), looked at my cycles, and our day of conception. We actually know our day of conception and calculated that with my irregular cycles our actual due date was July 16. Something we had been thinking all along- but we feel even more confident in now. It makes sense also because the doctor said I have not dilated or effaced and the baby has barely dropped which is okay since I only reached my due date yesterday. The news was disheartening because my body has been working. I've been having contractions- hopefully they turn into effective ones. We decided to give Harper one more week and then we will more seriously consider an induction.

In the mean time, I'm going to keep walking my daily 2 miles, being positive, and return for another NST later in the week. As much as I hate to think it, I should start coming to terms with the reality of an induction. The doctor's opinion was that I wouldn't go into labor on my own. I want to remain hopeful that my body will come through- but also realistic so there are no surprises and I don't feel overwhelmed if/when inducing becomes a reality.

Well, we hope all of you are doing great! I hope I don't sound too upset! Or angered. I guess it's just been a frustrating day. In the end, everything will work out. The most important thing is getting Harper here and in the healthiest state possible.
love, erica

almost there. . .

So it just hit me today that it's time. The time is here. Everything we've been preparing for will most likely take place either this week or next. So weird! Up until this morning I kept thinking, "we've got a couple of more weeks". Well now I realize that maybe it's just a couple of days! Thankfully, Zeb and I have found ourselves to be incredibly patient. I think that's part of the reason I hadn't realized how close we were to our due date. Also, I feel as though we have two due dates; and I just feel the birth will be closer to the second. The due date given to us first was July 11- which could be right. Then, our ultrasound predicted July 16. So I guess it's somewhere in between. It'll be when Harper's ready.

Even though I was being quite patient, I found myself to be a little anxious today. We went to the doctor and met with the midwife for our second time (it's been the doctor on other visits). Last Monday, I was so excited and encouraged through our meeting with her. She told us that she would most likely be able to deliver. I felt so relieved. A midwife will do everything to assist in an unmedicated birth- given the baby is not in distress. This morning I decided not to get checked and just wait to see what happens. Unfortunately, our next week's appointment was scheduled with the doctor. My impression is that he's not against natural birth, but he has seen a lot of women choose their back up plan. It just wasn't encouraging to hear. My point in all of this is to say: I found myself hoping and praying I have the baby soon because I'm not looking forward to meeting with the doctor next Tuesday. To be honest, I'm scared he'll make be induced. Although, I know no one can force me into it- it' just a bit unnerving for me.
Zeb claims the baby will come this weekend. Fatherly instincts? I guess we'll have to wait and see.

I must say a few things are starting to get on my nerves. I am tired of constantly going to the bathroom. But I also just really want to go on a vacation! Everyone talks about going to the beach or just doing something fun. I'm so jealous! I think I just need to get out of Sulphur! So the whole not being able to travel is getting a bit old.

I'm sorry I don't have any pics tonight. I'm posting from Zeb's computer. Our computers are two feet apart but mine won't pick up the wireless signal that we are currently mooching from. And we had cable which hadn't been shut off from the previous tenants. But they shut it down today! Maybe I've been so patient because I've been distracted with HGTV.

Well, I guess I should say keep checking back on a daily basis or so over the next weeks- you never know when a pic of Harper will appear!!
love you guys! erica

we're moved!

So we're finally all settled. It took about 4 days to get everything into the apartment and then on the 5th day our electricity was turned on. So the first four days were miserable. Atleast now it's over! I got a little stressed for a couple of days. I was exhausted and just kept thinking "i'm about to have a baby and my house is a mess". It was really frustrating for me because so many boxes were lying around and I couldn't pick up one of them. I just keep thinking that I'll have to wait until after I have the baby to completely organized everything.

Even though moving was stressful, I'm really glad we did. Now Harper has his own room that I've been decorating. It's been fun. We did a little bit of painting and have started to set everything up. It's really cute. I was excited because we finally unpacked the stroller and Zeb installed the car seat. I'm also in the process of packing the hospital bag. We're doing everything we can to be prepared. I'm also doing everything I can to have an unmedicated birth. I've started walking two miles a day. My doctor advised it, especially because I don't want to be induced (which doubles the chance of a c-section). Tomorrow night is our last prepared birth class; it's kind of sad. It's been fun to discuss labor and practice contractions. We've learned a lot. It's also kind of sad because another week has passed and we are closer to labor. Labor has now become this looming thing over my heard. It's a weird feeling. I have this inevitable experience of pain that I keep getting closer to. However, the end result is the best thing you could ever want, or so I hear! Will I be saying that when he's a teenager?!

Here's some pics of Harper's room ( a working process):

Grandpa hard a work.

Nana and Aunt April

Me, Zeb, and the stroller. We joke that it's the ferrari of strollers because the brand is italian; and the shocks are impressive.

More to come!! It's feels like the end but really things are just starting!

love, erica

quick message!

So I just saw today that our photographer updated his website with some of our pictures!
To view them go here: Michael Jordan Photography . Then click the Wedding link on the right side.
Here's a list of which ones are ours:
1. 6th picture down in the thumbnails is of our rings and ring holder
2. Scroll to the right (scroll arrows under thumbnails) 5th picture down is
Grandma Pierson after Zeb walked her to her seat
3. Scroll to the right- 3rd, 4th, and 6th pictures are of me
4. Scroll again- 1st picture is Zeb and me throwing rose petals at each other
2nd picture is of my garter. And the 4th is a picture of us kissing.

Hope you like 'em!